Some follow-up thoughts on Memorial Day [Perryville]

A friend of mine sent me a note recently and I wanted to share it with you even though Memorial Day has past.

Let us give thanks to those who have given so much so that we can live this life as we do in freedom. We will never forget the sacrifices they made. Blessings to their families and loved ones. God speed and safety to those still serving in our armed forces. Watch over them and their family and loved ones. Bring them safely home and while away may God hold them in the palm of his hand.

My friend wrote to me: There are so many things to be thankful for that it is hard to cite only a few. I am thankful for my family – they have given me so much happiness. I am thankful for my God who is always with me through thick and thin. He is truly my rock. I am thankful for all that I have been given during my life. I am thankful for the opportunity to help where I can, love and support when that is all I can do, and the nerve to finally speak my mind when I feel there is a need to express it. I would like to thank all of those who bravely fought for freedom for me and others. No one should be a slave to another's domination. I am thankful to be free. Long may freedom live. God keep America safe in his hands.

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Congratulations to Natalie Barton, who graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art on May 20. Her degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interactive Media where she concentrated in video game design. For her thesis, Natalie and a friend Kate Sterf designed a video game, "Best Fire." Natalie is the daughter of Linda Southall-Barton, of West Chester, Pa., and Jeff Barton, of Newark, Del. She is the grand-daughter of Herbert and Mary Lou Southall, of Havre de Grace. The family attended the graduation ceremonies and went to G&M Seafood from a celebration dinner.

Condolences are extended to Howard and Lois Wright on the passing of Howard's mother Kathryn Wright. Services were held in Quarryville, Pa., on Tuesday May 28 and burial was in Willow Street, Pa. Our prayers and sincerest sympathies are sent to Howard and Lois.

SunFest in Rising Sun will be June 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. The parade steps off a 9 a.m.

Congratulations to the Perryville High School softball team on its second straight regional crown. Way to go girls!

Also a big way to go and congrats to the Perryville High School boys and girls track teams, which both captured regional titles. Way to go Perryville!

Cecil College is hosting a Try a Trade event on June 4 at four locations in Cecil County. Experience 40 minutes of hands-on instruction or demonstration in your choice of trade. Learn about the responsibilities of the trade and what jobs are available in the region for each of the selected fields. Choose one trade the following list: Cecil County School of Technology – welding, HVAC or automotive; Elkton Station – computer training, accounting or veterinary assistant; Bainbridge – commercial driver's license; and North East Campus – health care careers. Information will be available about the funding for specific programs for those who qualify. Registration is required. Please call 410-287-1615 or email training4success@cecil.edu.

June 2 there will be an all you can eat breakfast from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic School, 810 Aiken Avenue in Perryville. Adults - $7. Children under 12 - $4. Children under 5 are free.

June 8 there will be the Strawberry Festival at the Good Shepherd Catholic School. The festival will run from noon to 6 p .m. with a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m.

On June 15 there will be a pig roast with live music at Good Shepherd in Perryville from 2 to 5 p.m.

Harmony Lodge will hold its monthly all you can eat breakfast June 8 from 7 to 10 a.m.

The second annual Cody G. Richardson Relentless Run 5K and 3K fun walk will be held June 1 at Perryville Middle School to benefit the Cody G. Richardson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Registration and packet pick up starts at 8 a.m. with the runners taking off at 9 and walkers at 9:05. There will be cash prizes for the first place male and female finishers. There will also be first through third place awards. For more information, call 443-528-8219. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 853, Perryville, MD 21903; please make checks out to the Cody G. Richardson Memorial Fund. To register please go to http://www.active.com (CGR Relentless Run) or to http://www.cgrrelentless.com.

A Ripken Crab Feast will be July 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the stadium. Menu includes crabs, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, beer, tea, soda, water and cookies. Ticket price $48 per person by June 10. Ticket price also includes the ball game, an IronBirds baseball cap, the crab feast and fireworks after the game. Please contact Dennis Bolen with any questions at 410-459-7179.

Relay for Life of Havre de Grace will be June 7 – 8 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at Havre de Grace High School. Call 410-933-5214.

Mark your calendar for an evening concert with Charlie Zahm along with fiddler Tad Marks and guitarist Steve Hobson at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Aberdeen on July 12. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Adults $10. Children under 16 are free.

July 13 is the Diamond in the Rough Triathlon at Perryville Community Park. The race is sanctioned by the USA Triathlon. There is an entry fee for participants; the event is free for spectators. Event starts at 8 a.m. and runs until the last athlete is finished. Check web sites for more information http://www.piranhasports.com or contact Neil Semmel @ nsemmel@piranha-sports.com

St. Paul's Lutheran Church will hold "Walking Through the Old Testament" Bible school for ages 4 through fifth grade June 17 through 21 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Contact Brenda Conjour for more information at bconjour@hotmail.com or 410-273-7332 or 410-599-0503.

Summer worship times are changing beginning June 16 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church: 9 a.m. is the traditional service with the contemporary service now starting at 10:30 a.m. Regular hours will go back on Sept. 8.

Father's Day breakfast will be served at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on June 16 from 8 – 10:30 a.m. Come and bring your loved ones for a delicious breakfast of biscuits and country gravy, sausage links, egg casserole, fruit and juice. Breakfast is hosted by the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Havre de Grace Arts Commission lists the 2013 Concert Series at the Millard E. Tydings Park – stating Friday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. This free event features Dean Sapp & Harford Express. Bring chairs and picnics and then just sit back and enjoy the music. Dean Sapp & Harford Express is a four piece bluegrass group. Check out their website at http://www.deansapp.com

Congratulations to Alvin Hathaway who is recognized for 24 years of service to the Town of Perryville.

Happy May 31 birthday to Anna Taylor.

Charlie Smith is sent Happy June birthday wishes

Happy birthday to my niece Carly Labant who will celebrate on the June 2. Lots of love from Mom and Dad Cindi and Doug Labant. Also from Uncle Roger and Aunt Bevie Southall.

On June, Carly's dad Doug Labant will celebrate his birthday. Lots of love from his wife Cindi and daughter Carly. Wishes also from Roger and Bev Southall.

Ernie Birckhead is sent June 4 birthday wishes.

June 6 my Grand Family members Toby Harvey and Loretta Donaldson will celebrate their joint birthdays. Happy Birthday to both of you from the Grand Family.

William D. "Charlie" Brown is sent birthday wishes on his June 3 birthday from his old friend Herb Southall.

Happy first wedding anniversary to Russell and Bernice Barnes who celebrated on May 26.

Thank you to all those who submit articles for the column. Keep those birthdays, anniversaries, special parties and celebrations, family functions, vacations and anything you want to see in print coming to me at pvnotes@verizon.net. And don't forget to mark the subject line "ARTICLE FOR THE RECORD." If I don't see this note, and I don't recognize your email address, I won't open the email.

Remember this: We live in the land of the free because of the brave! Thank a soldier today!

Today in Cecil County history: The cornerstone of the Rosebank Methodist Church was set in 1891.

Today is U.S. history: Walt Whitman was born in 1819.

Some other interesting facts from this past week are:

• May 30, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431;

• May 29, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to climb Mt. Everest in 1953 (that was a good year!);

• May 29, JFK was born in 1917;

May 29, Rhode Island became the 13th state in 1848 and Wisconsin became the 30th state in 1848.